You can combine the dynamic duo of red and black with a surprising range of background colors. For example, the combo looks classic with white, warm with tans and neutrals, and innovative with aqua or citrus shades. Keep your red and black accessories in the same color temperature as the background color -- warm reds and blacks with yellow, for example, and cool blacks and reds with aqua or teal.

Getting in the Mood

Getting the right shades of red and black to harmonize with your background color is crucial. Collect samples of paint or wallpaper, flooring and tile choices, fabric swatches and fixtures. Create a mood board by affixing sample swatches and inspiration photos to a large piece of cardboard. This helps you develop the design concept and color scheme, and serves as a reference for product sourcing. Rearrange the samples on your mood board, discarding those you no longer want to consider, until you are satisfied with the look and feel of your color and material palette.

Working With White

Create a crisp, clean envelope with white walls, white subway tile for the tub enclosure, and a black-and-white checkered tile floor. Choose red and black accents that express your favorite style, whether it is country, casual or modern. Mix and match accessories such as red and black towels, black wrought-iron towel bars, a red bath mat, and black-and-white photographs mounted in red frames. You can even find faucets and fixtures in red or black.

A300 mobile placeholder

Going Gray

For a look that's timeless and sophisticated, paint bathroom walls and ceiling a soft, dove gray, balanced by dark slate floor tile. Surround the tub in faux-granite panels that pick up the floor and wall colors. Bring the room to life with accessories in clear, bright red with midnight black and a touch of crisp white. For example, hang red and white striped towels from a black towel bar, and place a bouquet of red carnations in a black vase on a white vanity top.

Warming Up With Neutrals

Start with cream-colored walls, an ivory tub enclosure and flooring in a warm tan with a faux-marble look. Choose faucets and fixtures in brass, bronze or gold with a brushed finish for a soft glow, or polished if you want the shine. Punch up this neutral envelope with accessories on the warm side of red and black. For example, counter accessories and towels in tomato red, along with ebony wood furnishings such as towel bars, shelving and cabinets, will look nice against the room's inviting palette.

Unexpectedly Colorful

Step out of the neutral zone and let colors such as soft teal, dusty mauve or lemon yellow create a stylish background for red and black accessories. Paint the walls with your background color, and choose a lighter shade or white for the ceiling and trim. Tile the floor in black or use dark stone or wood flooring. Fill a black towel bar or shelf with bath linens in red plus a deep shade of the background color. Use decorative touches such as pictures, floral accents and apothecary jars to seamlessly tie together the accessories with the background color.

Resources

Photo Credits

Photodisc/Photodisc/Getty Images

About the Author

Jan Burch has written about home, garden, wellness and other topics since 1992. Her articles have appeared in ByLine, Living Natural and New Mexico Woman. Based in Albuquerque, Burch is a Feng Shui consultant and Jin Shin Jyutsu practitioner. A life-long crafting enthusiast, she holds a master's degree from the University of California.